Mention GLP-1 medications and most people will automatically think of weight loss. While they are proven effective for weight loss, there is mounting evidence that reveals they confer benefits beyond weight loss. Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, researchers and the medical community are noticing health benefits beyond blood glucose (sugar) control and weight loss. Let’s look at how GLP-1 medications could confer a positive effect on conditions interconnected with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
GLP-1s for Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance plays a key role in type 2 diabetes and occurs when the body’s cells to not respond to insulin, thus making it more difficult for glucose (sugar) to enter cells and be used for energy. Interest in GLP-1s for insulin resistance has grown because adults with type 2 diabetes have observed improvements in blood sugar control, energy levels, and metabolic markers even prior to weight to loss.
GLP-1 medications are making the day-to-day management of type 2 diabetes a bit easier for many adults, with the added benefit of mitigating the progression of type 2 diabetes-related conditions. A GLP-1 for insulin resistance works as follows: (1) it helps body tissue like muscle and fat respond better to insulin, (2) signals the pancreas to release more insulin only when blood glucose is high, (3) it reduces glucagon, which tells the liver to release stored sugar, (4) GLP-1s facilitate weight loss, and (5) GLP-1s reduce chronic inflammation, which contributes to insulin resistance.
GLP-1s for Inflammation
For adults with obesity and / or type 2 diabetes, chronic low-grade inflammation is common. Inflammation occurs in blood vessels, the liver, kidneys, brain, and joints. There is increasing interest in GLP-1s for inflammation because GLP-1s lower pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Immune cells release cytokines, small proteins, that function as messengers. Cytokines facilitate communication between cells and tell the body how strongly it needs to respond to an infection, injury, or stress. Depending on the type of cytokine, they can increase or decrease inflammation. Lowering pro-inflammatory cytokines matters because low-grade inflammation is linked to several conditions, e.g., obesity, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, and autoimmune diseases. The benefits of a GLP-1 for inflammation include decreased health risks associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. With fewer pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body, there is reduced chronic inflammation and fewer immune signals being circulated throughout the body.
GLP-1s for Fatty Liver
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition that occurs when fat builds up in the liver. This is connected to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and elevated triglycerides.
While there is currently no FDA-approved drug for NAFLD, interest in GLP-1s for fatty liver disease is mounting. GLP-1 medications could reduce the amount of fat moving into the liver, thus improving insulin signaling, reducing inflammation, and reducing signals that promote fat production. Research has shown improvements in liver fat accumulation, liver enzyme levels, and markers associated with inflammation and fibrosis. It’s important to note that GLP-1s for fatty liver is not a primary therapy or a cure, but rather a supportive therapy.
GLP-1 for PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder in reproductive-aged women. It is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, insulin resistance, underdeveloped follicles, and elevate androgen. While using a GLP-1 for PCOS treatment is not currently approved by the FDA, the use of GLP-1s has led to weight loss and decreased insulin resistance, which are associated with PCOS in reproductive-aged women. The benefits of a GLP-1 for PCOS include improved insulin sensitivity, reduced androgen levels, improved metabolic markers, and more regular ovulation cycles, which improves the chances of becoming pregnant.
Microdosing GLP-1s for Autoimmune Disorders
An autoimmune disorder is characterized by the body’s immune system mistaking its own healthy tissues as a threat. Microdosing GLP-1s for autoimmune disorders is an emerging area of empirical research. GLP-1 microdosing involves taking a smaller dose of a GLP-1 medication that what the drug manufacturer recommends. GLP-1 microdosing could also mean taking the smallest amount of a GLP-1 medication without titrating up to higher doses.
Interest in microdosing GLP-1s for autoimmune disorders stems from reports of reduced inflammation, symptom stability at a lower dose, and increased immune regulation. It should be noted that microdosing is not the standard of care for autoimmune disorders and more research in this area is needed. Prior to microdosing GLP-1 medications, it is important to talk with your healthcare provider to discuss potential issues with not following standard of care for GLP-1 medications and other weight loss options.
GLP-1s for Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is common for adults with obesity and significantly increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diminished blood glucose control. Sleep apnea is characterized by poor sleep quality, increased stress hormones, lower oxygen levels, and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Interest in using GLP-1s for sleep apnea originates from the interrelatedness of weight and sleep quality.
Although not FDA approved as a sleep-apnea treatment, GLP-1 users with sleep apnea report improvement in symptoms. The weight-loss associated with GLP-1 use reduces fat around the neck / airway, improvements in insulin resistance, decreased blood sugar swings, which can disrupt sleep, and decreases stress on the cardiovascular system. GLP-1 medications are not a replacement for the standard of care for sleep apnea, e.g., continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), however, their use can lead to improvements in metabolic health and contribute to improved sleep quality.
GLP-1s for Menopause
The interest in GLP-1s for menopause stems from an interest in supporting metabolic health during the transition from peri-menopause to menopause. Menopause is characterized by unwanted weight gain, changes in insulin sensitivity, reduced muscle mass, and fat distribution across the body, particularly around the abdomen, and cardiovascular disease. Using a GLP-1 for menopause-related weight gain could improve insulin sensitivity and lower weight-related health risks like cardiovascular disease. For example, the GLP-1 medication Wegovy has received FDA approval for use to reduce the risk of heart disease in adults with obesity. While GLP-1s do not directly manage hormonal changes associated with menopause, they could help mitigate the metabolic challenges associated with menopause.
While weight loss and blood sugar control may arguably be the easiest GLP-1 metrics to track, these are only two health markers. GLP-1 medications appear to have positive ripple effects across multiple health contexts. As more adult use GLP-1 medications to manage weight and type 2 diabetes, more information about the broader impact of GLP-1 medications is emerging.
While benefits across multiple health domains are being reported, GLP-1 medications should not be substituted for the standard of care or used without consultation with your healthcare provider. Despite their success, these medications are not intended to be a substitute for healthy eating or exercise. GLP-1 medications work optimally when meaningfully paired with a healthy diet and active lifestyle.
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Biocare dietary beverages offer a convenient and effective way to help you reach your daily protein intake goals. The Biocare Protein Meal Plan will show you how to incorporate the beverages into your meal planning, using example targets of 60, 90 and 120 grams of protein per day. Protein is a key macronutrient that supports healthy weight loss. Protein preserves lean mass during active weight loss and promotes satiety.
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Before making dietary changes or beginning any exercise program be sure to consult with your healthcare provider to make sure your desired weight loss strategy is right for you.
About the Author: Dr. Dawn M. Sweet has over 20 years of experience in the field of communication. Dr. Sweet has given several invited talks to and workshops for academic and private sector audiences on the role of nonverbal and verbal communication in achieving positive outcomes and mitigating bias. Her research has been published in several top ranked peer-review journals, and it has been featured on NPR’s River to River / All Things Considered, Buzzfeed, and Science Daily. Her research has also been used to inform expert testimony.
